The Nets conceded a 20-2 run, with Wilson fouling Goga Bitadze and the latter’s free throw leaving them down with 17.7 seconds to play.
They still led 97-80 when Ben Simmons found Jalen Wilson for a 3-pointer with 7:16 to play. That’s when they surrendered the lead.
Wilson earned a trip to the line himself and sank both to put the Nets back up with 6.2 seconds to go in regulation. But there would be no victory or even overtime as Anthony beat his man and got into the lane for a four-footer.
The guard played his first game since suffering a hamstring injury before Thanksgiving and looked like he never missed a beat, although the Nets couldn’t hold a 21-point cushion or stop Cole Anthony on the game-winning drive that sent them collapsing to a 102-101 loss before a sellout crowd of 19,397 at Kia Center.
“We need CT to be CT,” Nets coach Jordi Fernandez said. “We all know how efficient he’s been. His superpower is scoring. And he has to continue to be efficient and even be more efficient. And then his playmaking has got to go up, and defensively, he’s got to keep taking steps. So that’s a plan for him.
Anthony had 10 points, all in the second half after Jalen Suggs left with a sprained right wrist. He drove for the winner with 0.8 seconds left.
Thomas, fittingly, missed the final shot at the buzzer. But his return bodes well for the Nets.
Thomas missed a desperation 3 at the buzzer.
Down 21-18 after Jonathan Isaac’s layup with 3:15 left in the first, the Nets held the Magic scoreless for the next 4:19.
“We’re excited to have him back,” Fernandez said. “His teammates were excited. He was excited, had a smile on his face. So it’s a good day for us”
